Pre-shipment inspection agencies to be appointed

THE Swaziland Investment Promotion Authority (SIPA) is finalising the appointment of two agencies that will facilitate pre-shipment inspection of imported second-hand vehicles.

SIPA Research and Policy Analyst Muzikayise Dube said all imported used vehicles would be subject to pre-shipment inspection at the country of origin before they were allowed to set foot in Swaziland.
“Whether the cars are coming from Japan, Dubai, the United States, they will be inspected and to be allowed to land in Swaziland they will have to have a certificate of approval,” he told a delegation led by Zimbabwe Industry and Commerce Minister Professor Welshman Ncube during a meeting at SIPA offices yesterday.
Dube said inspections would be conducted to determine engine authenticity, year of manufacture emissions and other necessary information. He said the Swaziland Standards Authority (SWASA) was currently working on the necessary modifications.
Domestic Investments Director Sabelo Mabuza added that SIPA was working on formulating standards for the second-hand vehicle industry in a bid to have some form of regulatory system as some of the vehicles arrived in the country with certificates containing false claims.
“Imported used vehicles were introduced in the country to allow for affordable cars,” he said, “but we need to ensure that people are getting value for their money.
Motcec Holdings Group Chief Executive Benjamin Kumalo, who is part of the delegation from Zimbabwe, wanted to know if there were any special regulations for the motor industry in Swaziland.
In response, Mabuza said currently there were none he was aware of but added that SIPA was looking at possibilities of getting motor assemblers to set up shop in Swaziland in the near future.
Professor Ncube’s delegation comprises Industry and Commerce Enterprise Development Director Stanslaus Daison Mangoma, Senior Economist Elizabeth Karainwa, Motcec Holdings Group CEO Benjamin Kumalo, Amtec Motors Managing Director Raymond Ditima and Willowvale Mazda Motor Industries Managing Director Dawson Mareya.

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